The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-23
A GREAT WASTE OF WRATH
The Sentinel Rushes to the Defense to
Robinson, of Deadlock Fame,
And Makes Assertions Which Are Contra
dcted Both by the Ex-Representatiy
and the State Assembly, K. of L.

The Sentinel sought to use the presence of F.
J. S. Robinson as adeleeate to the State assembly
of the Knights OF Labor as a pretext to create
dissension in the Union Labor party. What
ever may be said in regard to Robinsons treat
ment by his fellow-deegates it is known that
considerable opposition was ready to be asserted
against his admission. 1t may be that no formal
question as to his credentials. for the chair
man of the committee having such papers in
charge said. "Had we wished otherwise. we
could not have denied him admission on them.
He came as the accredited delegate of his assem-
bly,. and we were bound to receive him as such,
unless some one questioned his standing in the
order" Whether this was done not, the
chairman of the committee, Mr.. Nusbaugh, of
Goshen, did not feel inclined to make any fur
Their statement than that Robinson fra
ternally received, and that no formal objection
was made to his admission. The intimation that
such was the case the delegates did not regard
of much Importance af to require notice be-
yond mere denial. The resolution to that eff
feet Thomas NJ Gruelle, secretary of the State
assembly, says. was not at all denunciatory.
These was no feeling in the assembly," he con-
tinued. because the News published only its
substance. The substance did as we'll the
resolution in full, nor there any wish to
treat the matter except as a bit of misinforma-
tion The Sentinel's object is too plain for any
one not to recognize it. Its position is regarded
solely political, which is not at al! favorable
for the Union Labor party. When l saw the
Robinson interview published this morning
l was mad and went at once to Robinson, who
said he was in no way responsible for what the
Sentinel said editorially about tho resolution,
and, for the interview, it misrepresented
him. He claims that onehalf of
what 1t represents him as saying
he did not say. believe the
reporter whoever wrote it took advantage of
Robinson's statements, both as regards the reso-
luton and the political references it contained.
The delegates were just as strongly lncensed at
When the State assembly met. yesterday
morning, the question was referred 20 a special
mmittee, from which a report was received to
this effect:
Your special committee, charged with the prepare
ton of statement giving what facts (f any exist
to warrant the different aud conflicting statements
concerning officers and members of this body, pub
hshed in the Indianapolis papers, beg leave to report
that unable to discover anything that would
cordially and fraternay received in this body by
any member thereof, that any officer member of
this assembly in any manner directly or Indirectly
sought to prevent the publication of the resolutions
adopted by this assembly for the purpose of vindcat
ing Brother Robinson; but that the contrary, the
failure to secure the full publication OF said resou
tions wholly and purely accidental. and beyond
the control of person in this assembly, and with
out apparent design motive on the part OF
person outside of it.
The position of Robinson, whether a mem
Der OF the erder or a politician, is not one on
which opinions are unanimous. II know" said
a member of the order last night. that had the
matter been left to the local delegates. Robinson
would not have been admitted to the State as
sembly. When elected to the Legislature he
was not in good standing in tho order and his
actions during the session were denounced by
men who now say he was received delegate
TO the assembly without opposition. That may
be true, but tell you the dsaffection against
RODinsOQ in that boly and ONLY needed A
opportune moment to show it's face. His friends
are. OF course. Democratic Knights, hence the
cause of the Sentinels desire to make all the
capital 1t can over trivial affair. Robnson's
opponents are those who expected him to remain
steadfast to Allen last winter. But
this Ia not the only of complaint.
He had lien bill that applied only
to railroad employees and laborers He
endeavored very strongly to have it take precs-
dence in the committee over another lien bill
that was of greater scope. This applied TO all
workingmen. and Robinson wanted it killed in
the committee. He however. voted for it when
it came up for passage. and that would no doubt
havo been sufficient to allay the feeling against
him on that score had it not been for his break
ing away from Allen and voting for Turpie His
true position now is to oppose the third party
and believe his presence in the assembly
for that purpose, as both the Democratic and
the Union Labor men sought to control the
ganization. If the Union Labor people, whose
last winter, did not object to Robinsons admis-
sion it was because they did not want to wreck
the State assembly at the outset by any polt-
ical wrangle. Had the question of expsdiency
been out of the way Robinson would have been
strongly opposed"